Iowa lawmakers approve agriculture, DNR budget

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved a $40 million compromise budget for the state departments of natural resources and agriculture.

The Senate and House both approved the spending Thursday. The total budget for the next fiscal year is about $5 million more than the current year.

It includes a $2.4 million increase for the state Department of Agriculture to study Iowa's water quality and encourage farmers to implement water quality practices.

Other budget items include spending for the Iowa State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The plan also creates a new Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State to study nutrient management practices in the state.